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Journalism of Courage
The Institute of Reservoir Studies IRS, along with Agarkar Research Institute ARI Pune, has developed two new microbial bacteria that increase recovery of oil from stripper wells by up to three times. IRS is the Gujarat-based premier research arm of ONGC,
8220;We have developed two new bacteria called NJS-4 and NJS-7, having the ability to enhance oil recovery from wells and show performance up to temperature of 96 degree centigrade,8221; said T R Mishra, project head at IRS.
The laboratory trials have successfully been conducted and very soon field trials will begin in Navagau and Nandej fields of Ahmedabad asset, Mishra added.
8220;On injecting the NJS series bacteria, longevity will increase by six to 15 months. From each low-producing oil well, one can obtain 250-300 cubic metres of oil per cycle,8221; Mishra said, adding that the figure varied from well to well and field to field.
8220;So far, the consortium of bacteria at IRS, comprising S-2, PDS-10 and FIB-19, have a track record of performing up to 90 degree centigrade only,8221; the IRS official said.
The microbes mobilise crude oil trapped in pores of the oil reservoir. This technique is known as Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery MEOR. According to IRS officials, by using MEOR, IRS has been able to recover additional oil in the past from low producing wells in Gujarat. As per IRS records, there are over 50 low-producing wells in Mehsana asset and equal number of them in Ahmedabad, for which microbes having a track record of performing at high temperature levels are required.
